Friday News – September 22, 2023

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Happy Friday!

How wonderful to see so many people on Sunday, as well as to know many were joining us online! Many people signed up for new opportunities in our Engagement Fair, and our RE wings were hopping! I can tell you are ready to move into the future with excitement. I hope this means that we can grow into deeper engagement with the kind of beloved community we want to create – together.

Rev. Dr. Terasa G. Cooley, AIM
Developmental Minister

To submit an announcement for Friday News, fill out our new Announcements Request form online. by 9:00am on Wednesdays.

Deadline for Sunday service materials is 11:00am Thursday morning. 
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First UU Classes & Group
Board Update
A Look Ahead: First UU Events
Justice & Volunteer Opportunities
Community News
Family Update
This Week
This week’s Sunday Service – 9/25
 

Religious Language and its Challenges

You may have noticed that I have been using more traditional religious language in the services I’ve led. I’m aware that this is challenging to some, and I’ll talk about why it’s meaningful to me, and how we can hold space for other practices as well.

Worship Presenter: Rev. Dr. Terasa Cooley
Share the Plate: League of Women Voters

Breakfast 9:15–9:45:  Suggested donation of $3/adult, $2/child (Maximum $10/family). Vegan/GF Options available.  First time visitors free.  
Columbus Community Pride
Join us Tomorrow, September 23 from 12-7pm at Mayme Moore Park (867 Mt. Vernon Ave). Community Pride is a free grassroots festival that prioritizes the needs of Queer, Trans, Intersectional People of Color (QTIPOC).

Text Justice Minister Amanda Hays at 616-350-1409 to be added to a First UU group text of attendees!

Whether or not you make it out on Saturday, you can join us Sunday, September 24 from 11:30-12:30 in the Worship Center to watch a video from Black, Queer, Intersectional Collective about the origins of Community Pride, reflect on what we learned, and envision what First UU’s support for Community Pride might look like next year.
Expressive Worship
Thursday September 28, 6–7:30pm in Beach Hall

Experience a different kind of spiritual practice centered around personal creative process. Enjoy readings, songs and create artwork centered around this month’s theme “Welcome”

At the end of the evening there is a sharing circle for all who wish to share their work and inspiration.  All ages and abilities welcome. For more information contact Christine Davidson.
CLASSES AND GROUPS

Check out our Fall Engagement Catalogue to find out about all of our groups!  There are lots of ways to get involved at First UU!

Physical copy available on Welcome table on Sundays.  
Image of quilt “Our House is a Very, Very, Very Fine House!” by Rev. Sylvia L’Herrou Howe
Spiritual Practices class
We will be offering our Spiritual Practices class beginning Wednesday, October 4th at 6:00pm.

This 10–session course helps participants develop regular disciplines or practices of the spirit that help us connect with the sacred. Spiritual Practice affirms religious diversity while seeking unity in our communal quest for meaning and wholeness. Each session offers a forum for learning, sharing, and growth that can enrich our personal faith journeys.

Register on our Adult RE page or contact Andi Mocharski for more information.
Pathways to Membership
Saturday, October 7th 8:30am-2pm

If you want to learn more about First UU Columbus or are ready to become a member, this class is for you! Taking the class does not obligate you to become a member; it just gives you the information you need to know about becoming a member.
Register on our Adult RE page or contact Andi Mocharski for more information.
Conflict Transformation
October 14, 10am – 2pm

While many people find conflict challenging or even fearful, there is a way in which conflict can actually help us grow and learn together, when we have the tools for self-reflection as well as for healthy interactions.

This workshop is a hybrid gathering which will give you an opportunity to process the concepts individually as well as in small groups. The Healthy Relations Team will also be there to talk about their work with the congregation in the coming year.

Lunch will be available for a $10 fee if you are joining in person.

Register on our Adult RE page or contact Rev. Dr. Terasa Cooley for more information.
Self-Understanding through the Enneagram
November 1, 8, and 15, 6:30–8:30

The Enneagram is a system which helps describe personality patterns. Used by many religious traditions as a tool for personal awareness, it can help us identify what our instinctual behaviors might be, as well as a path for healthy development. For this workshop we will use the book, “The Road Back to You” by Ian Crone and Suzanne Stabile.

Register on our Adult RE page or contact Rev. Dr. Terasa Cooley for more information.
Make your Voice heard –
Join a BREAD Listening Session!
BREAD (Building Responsibility, Equality and Dignity) is an interfaith community organization of more than 40 congregations First UU helped form over 25 years ago. BREAD holds local decision-makers accountable for addressing serious community problems with the power of its organized people—that’s you!
All BREAD congregations have a listening process each fall to build relationships and identify local problems. They culminate in a democratic selection of a new problem for BREAD’s research and action. BREAD needs your input! Listening Sessions are scheduled both in person and via Zoom each week from now until October 22. Sign up to Join a Listening Session here or in person at the JAM table in Beach Hall after service.

Questions? Email the BREAD Team!
Dinner & Conversation
Dinner & Conversation is a quarterly pot-luck group that meets in participants’ homes.  Commitment is for one quarter at a time, one meeting per month based on group consensus. Group sizes are 6-8 participants. Hosts organize the dinner and pick a topic for conversation. The goal is to have a good time while getting to know each other.

Contact Marcia Canter to sign up for the fourth quarter of 2023,  Dinner and Conversation groups by noon Sunday, 9/24.
BOARD UPDATE
Youth Board Members
Please welcome our newly elected youth board members for the 2023-2024 year, Abigail Ours and Liam Davidson!
A LOOK AHEAD: FIRST UU EVENTS
Fall Senior Gathering October 6
Join us for the Fall Senior Gathering to kick off the church year with Rev. Terasa on Thursday, October 5, in Beach Hall.

10:30 – Snacks & Coffee
11:00 – Program begins

RSVP to Marilyn Beerman or leave her a voicemail at 614-282-8440.
It’s Auction Time – Register and Donate Now

We have officially launched our First UU Fall Auction website!  You can now register to offer items, Register to bid, and when the auction goes live, bid on them on our Auctria Site.

Similar to years past, there will be three Auction segments: Good Stuff (online bidding starts October 7th); Fun, Food and Frolic (online bidding starts October 14th) and of course, our Live Auction with some great items up for bid on Saturday October 21st at 7 PM.

Committee members will be at the Auction Table in Beach Hall after the Sunday service to answer your questions and provide limited tech support to register and enter items for bid.

What can you offer? Maybe something that was a hit last year? Or maybe you have a new item or activity? We need your offerings to make this our best Auction ever!
MUSIC NEWS
First UU Choirs have begun rehearsals for the year, but it isn’t too late to join! Spirit of Life Choir rehearses Tuesday evenings, 6:30-8:00pm, and Chalice Choir rehearses Thursday evenings, 7:30-9:30pm–both in the Worship Center. EVERYONE is welcome in both of these choirs, regardless of your experience or ability to read music. Just come with an open mind and a willing voice and heart!

There will also be an exciting special opportunity for our youth to sing in our first-ever Youth Pop-Up Choir. This will be held on Sunday, Oct. 15 and will be similar to a Summer Pick-Up Choir experience: youth should show up at 9:00 am to the Worship Center and will learn on the spot a song to sing during the 10 am service. Come be a part of this inaugural event!

Finally, look in the coming weeks for our Concert Series Team to release our calendar for the year! In the meantime, here is a sneak peak for October: On Friday, Oct. 27 our very own Nathan Hamm will present a piano recital at 7:00 pm, and on Sunday, Oct. 29 we will host the Otterbein University Concert Choir and Upper Arlington HS Symphonic Choir in concert! Mark your calendars, and look for the full line-up very soon!

If you have any questions about Music at First UU, contact Dr. Brandon Moss.
JUSTICE & VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Kehilat Sukkat Shalom Needs Volunteers
Our neighbors at KSS need help watching the door during their Yom Kippur celebration Monday, September 25 from 10–2 and 3:15–6:30. 
There is a stipend available for volunteers of $15/hour.  Contact Jodi Kushins to volunteer.
COMMUNITY NEWS
Susan Carter to receive
Alvin R. Huntley Social Justice Award  
Susan Carter, an active participant in our Social Justice Ministry, has been chosen to receive the Alvin R. Huntley Social Justice Award, to be presented at the Living Faith Awards Breakfast by the Spirituality Network.  Susan is being recognized for her work both through First UU’s Justice Action Ministry and other affiliations, especially for her work with the farm worker’s movement.

I invite UU friends of Susan to help honor her at the annual awards breakfast at First Community, North Campus on October 12 from 7:30-9:30am.  You can reserve tickets online at $40, or join the First UU table for a  discounted cost of $37.50.  Email Dick or call him at  614-563-4855 to save a seat.
FAMILY UPDATES
Happening This Sunday, 9/24
  • 9:15-9:30am Breakfast for donation (A/B) be on time if you want food!
  • 9:30-11:30am Infant and Toddler Care (rm 101)
  • 9:30-10am School-Age Playground Monitor (SYC 4’s playground)
  • 9:30-11am 13-14yr OWL, First Teen Class (rm 302)
  • 9:40am-12noon 10-11yr OWL Mandatory Parent / Caregiver Orientation AND First Kids’ Class (rm 404)
  • 10-11am Worship Service, and MS/HS Neighboring Faiths (rm 301)
  • 10:15am-11am (After Story Until Service Ends), 3-6yr Spirit Play (rm 102), 7-9yr Spirit Play (rm 201), and 10yr-MS/HS Tools for the Journey, formerly In the Middle (rm 401)
  • Coffee Hour, Snack – after the service ends
  • 11:30am-1:30pm 12-18yr Youth Group (rm 302), 18-25yr Emerging Young Adults (kitchen)